Lochmoor Headband by Melissa Burke

Lochmoor Headband

Knitting
March 2021
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
30 stitches and 34.5 rows = 4 inches
in Pattern stitch, blocked widthwise.
US 6 - 4.0 mm
105 - 110 yards (96 - 101 m)
Headband fits an adult head size of approx 22” - 23.5” (55.9 cm – 59.7 cm). Additional sizes available by working more/fewer full cable pattern repeats at the nape of the neck.
English
This pattern is available for $5.50 USD buy it now

Lochmoor is full of eye-catching cable work. The details draw you in and you find yourself following the cables as they intersect and diverge. Wider across the crown and down past the ears, the headband then tapers to an intricate 4 plait braid across the nape.

The headband is grafted using Kitchener stitch. Don’t let this intimidate you. Really!!

The pattern also includes two photo tutorials:

  • Crochet Provisional Cast-on
  • Top to Bottom Kitchener grafting

The pattern directs you how to treat every single stitch in your graft. No guessing and no worries!

This pattern has been professionally tech edited and test knit to reduce the potential for error.

NOTE: I have noticed that in some knitter’s projects that one of the large repeats is being eliminated in an effort to make a headband smaller. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS. It will change the entire design of the headband as there is a center medallion where the pattern changes direction and if you eliminate one large repeat, the medallion will be off center. Instead, please check your gauge and if you need to go down a needle size or two, please do that. If further size adjustments are needed, work fewer repeats of the small cable repeat at the nape. I also recommend that you do NOT select yarns that stretch and don’t return to their unstretched size such as alpaca or cotton.

CONSTRUCTION

The headband is provisionally cast on and then worked flat. It is finished by joining the two ends with a Kitchener graft.

REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Knit and purl stitches
  • Cable stitches - 2/2LC, 2/2LPC, 2/2RC, 2/2RPC
  • Increase and decrease stitches - LLI, RLI, P2TOG, SSP
  • Provisional cast-on
  • Kitchener grafting - top to bottom

INSTRUCTIONS

The pattern is fully charted, but also includes complete written directions so the ability to read a chart is not necessary to work this pattern.

YARN NOTES

Avoid highly variegated and/or excessively fuzzy yarn as it will obscure the cable pattern.

ADDITIONAL NOTIONS

You will also need:
G6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook (for provisional cast-on)
50” (127 cm) scrap contrasting color worsted yarn (for provisional cast-on)
8” (20.3 cm) scrap contrasting color fingering weight or lighter yarn/thread (optional, for Kitchener lifeline)
Tapestry/blunt yarn needle
T-pins (optional, for blocking)